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Mold, and its early-stage counterpart, mildew, are forms of fungi that grow in damp areas and replicate quickly. Mold and mildew can cause allergies and respiratory conditions, and sometimes more serious health problems that affect the nervous system. Therefore, you need to get rid of mold and mildew quickly. Bathroom surfaces, particularly tile around the tub and shower, tend to be mold and mildew incubators because of the heat and moisture that accumulate there. But you can usually remove the unwanted substances easily using white vinegar in combination with baking soda as a scouring agent.

1

Fill a small spray bottle with white vinegar.

2

Spray the affected areas -- including tile, grout, painted walls, and any porcelain or ceramic surfaces -- liberally with vinegar. Let it sit for one to two hours.

3

Scrub the mold and mildew away with a damp microfiber cloth. Scrub tiling grout or hard-to-reach corners and crevices with a stiff-bristle toothbrush. Rinse with water.

4

Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Apply the paste to any hard-to-remove traces of mildew or mold. Spray with vinegar, and scrub with a damp microfiber cloth, scouring pad or stiff-bristle toothbrush, depending on the severity of the mold or mildew.

5

Rinse the affected areas with water. Repeat Step 4 if necessary.

Things You Will Need

White vinegar

Spray bottle

Baking soda

Scouring pad or microfiber cloth

Stiff bristle toothbrush

Water

Tips

To prevent further problems with mold and mildew, keep your bathroom dry and well-ventilated. During and after a shower or bath, open a window or use the vent fan, and use a squeegee or mop to get rid of excess water buildup. Likewise, try to keep the sink area dry after use.

Keep the bathroom well-ventilated when working with vinegar and baking soda together in large quantities; the combination releases carbon dioxide.

A microfiber cloth is soft on the surface and highly absorbent. However, in instances where mold and mildew is very hard to scrub off, try a stronger scouring pad instead.

Warnings

If mildew and mold in tile grouting does not go away after you scrub with white vinegar and baking soda, clean the affected surfaces with hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Be careful not to mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, because the result can be toxic.

If vinegar and hydrogen peroxide do not work, which may be the case with highly affected grouting, try a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. If you do this, make sure your room is well-ventilated, wear gloves to protect your skin and be cautious not to mix bleach with other cleaning agents.